The Word That is God

Swami Swahananda
“The Natha Yogis specialized in the worship of Om along with that of Shiva. To them, Om
is the first sound, the most elementary sound, the one unproduced, undifferentiated natural
sound, the most spontaneous self-expression of energy or power in audible form. Om is the
Name of the Supreme. Every uttered sound is particular, produced from the strokes of the
vocal organs, and broken into parts. But Om is an anahata-nada, a universal continuous sound
behind all broken sounds. It is in the heart, and the search for it is the search for Brahman.
The steady and drawn out repetition of Om is prescribed as an effective help in this search.
According to the Natha Yogis, the heart, the seat of the anahata sound, is not located in any
particular part of the body, but gradually shifts from lower yogic centers to the higher ones
and ultimately to the sahasrara where union of Shakti with Shiva is attained. Om, again, has
been identified with the three gunas–sattva, raja and tamas–which constitute the world. It is
also regarded as the original bija-akshara, or syllable source.” (Mother Worship by Swami
Swahananda, p. 46)
I. K. Taimni
Dr. I. K. Taimni had a doctorate in chemistry, but was also a profound student of
physics–Western and Oriental. Beside this, he was the head of the worldwide Esoteric Section
of the Theosophical Society (Adyar), and as such was spiritual guide to many aspirants
throughout the world. The following is taken from his excellent commentary on the Yoga
Sutras, The Science of Yoga.
“The result of japa and meditation on the Pranava is the gradual disappearance of the
obstacles which lie in the path of the yogi. These obstacles are of various kinds–impurities
and disharmonies in the vehicles, weaknesses of character, lack of development, etc. But
Pranava, as we have seen, touches the very heart of our being, arouses in the microcosm
vibrations which can bring out from it all the latent powers and faculties which lie sleeping
there. So all obstacles, whatever their nature, yield to its dynamic stimulation. The deficiencies
are made up by the growth of the corresponding faculties or the flow of additional power. The
impurities are washed away. The disharmonies in the vehicles are smoothed out and the
vehicles become attuned to one another and to the Supreme Consciousness of Ishwara. And
so a complete regeneration of the individuality takes place, a regeneration which makes it fit
to tread the path of Ashtanga Yoga or Ishwara Pranidhana. …
“The seven Sutras from 1:23 to 1:29 form, in a way, a separate set giving the technique of
the path of mysticism on which the aspirant goes direct to his goal without studying and
mastering the intermediate planes which separate him from the object of his search. On this
path self-surrender is the only weapon, and in using this weapon japa and meditation on the
Pranava constitute the sole technique. The japa and meditation turn the consciousness of the
aspirant right about in the direction of his goal, remove all the obstacles, and self-surrender
does the rest.”
Dr. Taimni also wrote Gayatri, a study of the Savitri Mantra, the ancient prayer for
enlightenment recited daily by Hindus. Since Om is an essential part of that mantra, both
beginning and ending it, he has this to say:
“The purpose of [Om] as already pointed out is to arouse the spiritual powers which are
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